How to stay this summer

Having fun between the sheets? Staying protected - whatever your age - is essential...

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One thing I think isn’t talked about enough in women over 40 is ‘safe sex’. With over 40% of UK marriages ending in divorce, and long-term relationships often coming to an end at this stage of life, there’s a high chance lots of women will be venturing into new sexual relations.

It may feel quite liberating not to have to consider contraception as you enter menopause but, in my career as a GP, I have seen a few women taken by surprise with a positive pregnancy test when they least expect it in their 40s and 50s. Fertility does decline with age, but pregnancy is still possible - so use contraception until two full years without periods if you are under 50 years old, and at least one year without a period if you are over 50. Even women with premature ovarian failure may randomly ovulate.

PLENTY OF OPTIONS